DONATION: On December 12, the Old Line Chapter of the Nam Knights of America presented Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans with a donation of three ballistic vests and extra vest carriers. These vests will be worn by individuals such as criminal justice students and future police officers who participate in Sheriff's Office ride-along programs. The bullet-resistant vests will provide protection to civilian riders accompanying law enforcement officers during their daily patrol functions.

The Old Line Chapter of the Nam Knights of America is a motorcycle club comprised of local military and law enforcement located in Chesapeake Beach. For the past five years this club has routinely donated equipment to the Calvert County Sheriff's Office.

For more information on Calvert County Sheriff's Office Public Service Opportunities please visit us on the Calvert County website at
www.co.cal.md.us under Services or call 410-535-2800 and select option #9.

PASSING OF K-9 DUKE: Sheriff Mike Evans regrets to announce the passing of K-9 Duke. K-9 Duke was an 11-year-old bloodhound that began his career with the Sheriff's Office in 2004. K-9 Duke was donated by Wendy Zurenko of Port Republic. Ms. Zurenko donated the rambunctious bloodhound because he was too much to handle. K-9 Duke went on to complete his initial police service dog training for tracking and began a long career as the first Calvert County Sheriff's Office bloodhound working dog.

K-9 Duke was primarily used for tracking and locating missing persons and children. The only thing K-9 Duke liked more than lots of attention from kids was finding them when they were lost. He provided support to Project Lifesaver, a program that allows deputies to track lost Alzheimer's disease and dementia patients. K-9 Duke was also used to track criminals when needed. K-9 Duke was a true ambassador for the Sheriff's Office and was routinely seen at community functions and K-9 demonstrations.

K-9 Duke had one handler, Deputy First Class Joe Windsor. No organization or person feels the loss of a working dog more than the handler and his family. It is a bond only a few ever know. Please keep Dfc. Windsor, his family and K-9 Duke in your thoughts during this difficult time. As funds become available, Duke's name will be placed on the "Fallen Working Dogs" memorial plaque at the Island Creek Canine Training Center.

"Duke's service to the citizens of Calvert County will not be forgotten. Duke and Dfc. Windsor's commitment to the safety and well-being of the public serve as an example for all to follow," said Sheriff Mike Evans.

RETAIL ROBBERY: On December 17 at 9:13 p.m., the Calvert Control Center received a 911 call from a store cashier at the Bridge Carryout, located at 6654 Hallowing Point Road in Prince Frederick, stating the store had just been robbed. Calvert County Sheriff Office deputies responded to the scene and set up a perimeter while contact was made with the complainant. Det. N. DeFelice subsequently responded to the scene and assumed the investigation and determined two suspects were involved. Suspect one is described as a white male, early to mid-20's, approximately 5'9" with a shaved head with dark hair and "chin strap" style facial hair, wearing a camouflage hat and a black and camouflage t-shirt. The second suspect is of unknown race, age or sex and is described as wearing a royal blue colored bandana across the face.

It was determined that suspect one entered the store at approximately 9:06 p.m. and inquired about the closing time of the business. He then made casual conversation with the cashier while he purchased and played scratch off tickets. Suspect one then exited the business without any further incident. At approximately 9:10 p.m. this same suspect re-entered the store and stood near the check-out counter. The second suspect then entered and demanded the cashier hand over the money. Suspect two gave the cashier a bag at which time the cashier filled the bag with money from two registers. The two suspects then fled the store.

A K-9 track was conducted by Dfc. Morder and his K-9 partner Wolf at which time the track led to the rear of the business. The track continued west towards a fenced-in area just prior to Hallowing Point Trailer Park. Dfc. Morder identified a recently broken portion of the fence which led to a gravel parking lot near the trailer park.

A witness who was in the area advised that she observed a white BMW or Mercedes leave the area following the robbery which was parked in the area of the track.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. DeFelice at 410-1600 ext. 2669.

DICKINSON JEWELERS THEFT: On December 9, several suspects stole property from Dickinson Jewelers located in Dunkirk. Three suspects, a male and two females, entered the store and made contact with staff. The two teenage females inquired about purchasing a class ring which distracted the employee. The older male, who walked with a pronounced limp, took a counter top display case and fled. The two females left the store shortly afterward, possibly in a dark colored full-size GMC pickup truck. The suspects are described as two black females approximately 16-18 years of age. One is light skinned with curly brown hair and facial piercings. The other is dark skinned with long, dark hair who was wearing a leopard print shirt. The black male is described as being approximately 50 years old. He was wearing a baseball hat, glasses and had facial hair. He walked with a limp.

If you can identify these suspects or have information that may help solve this crime, please contact Det. N. DeFelice of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office at 410-535-1600 ext. 2669 or defelinb@co.cal.md.us.

DUI CHECKPOINT: On December 21, a DUI checkpoint was conducted by the Calvert County Sheriff's Office with assistance from the Maryland State Police as part of the two departments ongoing efforts to educate the citizen's of Calvert County about the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol. Funding for the checkpoint was provided by the Maryland Highway Safety Office as part of their "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign. The checkpoint was set up on E. Chesapeake Beach Road (Md. Rt. 260) in between Old Solomons Island Road and Thomas Lane. The checkpoint was set up at this location based on statistical data compiled by the Calvert County Traffic Safety Council in reference to alcohol related arrests and crashes in this particular area. A total of 722 vehicles entered the checkpoint and were provided literature about Maryland's drinking and driving laws. Three vehicles were directed to a testing area due to the presence of alcohol on the driver with one subject being arrested for violating Maryland's driving under the influence laws. The checkpoint was conducted from 2036 hours until 2230 hours. Deputies also conducted saturation patrols of the Rt. 260 and Rt. 261 corridor which resulted in three additional arrests for driving under the influence or impaired violations.

The following individuals were arrested during this operation:

-- Bonnie Blankenbaker, 50, of Port Republic, Md.;

-- Samuel Orates, 33, of Oxon Hill, Md.;

-- Michael Manginell, 46, of North Beach, Md.; and

-- John Roger Ponzette, 54, of King George, Va. Ponzette was also charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance.